Скачать или смотреть USA: PALESTINIAN LEADER ARAFAT VISIT

(24 Sep 1999) Arabic/Nat

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is appealing to U-S businesses to invest in Gaza and the West Bank.

With a fragile peace accord now in place, the Palestinians are keen to promote investment in their areas of control.

But certain companies will no doubt worry about the stability of the region which has in the past been plagued by terrorist attacks.

In a speech to the U-S Chamber of Commerce, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat tried to dispel any concerns American companies might have about investing in the region -- such as fears about terrorist activities.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
"In these years, these difficulties and even before that I was trying my best to show the economic development as a fruit of peace, as a result of peace for the Palestinian people. Because I said and I say again that peace making and economic development are inseparable."
SUPER CAPTION: President Yasser Arafat, Palestinian Leader

Arafat says he recognises that economic development requires stability and security.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
"Our endeavor, our joint endeavor is to rebuild a new Middle East. And I believe the dividing line of how we enter the next century depends on the peace process. And the progress of this peace process will ensure that we enter the next century in the vehicles of cooperation, stability, development, and economic regional cooperation and international economic cooperation."
SUPER CAPTION: President Yasser Arafat, Palestinian Leader

On the subject of one controversy currently raging, Arafat urged tolerance.

Many Arab's have said they will boycott Disney's Epcot millennium celebrations because of a controversial exhibit which they say depicts Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
"(On question about the Disney-Arab boycott issue)
I am personally following this issue with Dr. Majid, the Secretary General of the Arab League and I hope we can solve it as soon as possible."
SUPER CAPTION: President Yasser Arafat, Palestinian National Authority

Organisers of the exhibition in Orlando, Florida, say they wont depict Jerusalem as the Israeli capital - a move which would anger Palestinians who hope East Jerusalem will be the capital of a future Palestinian state.

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